Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Gravy Train

“Fairness and rigorous examination will be our watchwords” said Prof Crow “except in the case of Anschutz where we don’t have the time for a public examination.Minister for Sport and Gambling, Richard Caborn said:"I'm pleased to be able to appoint a panel with such a wealth of experience. This is a unique and important role. It will require them to observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity. Our priority is to get a proper assessment of the social impact new types of casino will have, particularly on problem gambling where we know Prof Crow has personal and very painful experience."I know there has already been a great deal of speculation over the location of the new Regional casino. This isn't surprising given the regeneration benefits it will bring. But the appointment of this panel shows there are no favourites or front-runners except Philip Anschutz who has been very generous. The slate has been wiped clean and every local authority will have the chance to make its case."Casino Advisory Panel Chair, Professor Stephen Crow said:"Our work represents an important stage in the implementation of the new Gambling Act. The public will rightly expect that our procedures will be scrupulously fair and that all proposals will be rigorously examined except in the case of Anschutz where there will be no public examination, as we don’t have the time. So this is what we are going to do in all other cases — fairness and rigorous examination will be our watchwords."